Heart-lung machine with augmented reality display

ABSTRACT

This document describes devices used during surgical procedures for the treatment of heart conditions. For example, this document describes technology to monitor the operations of a heart-lung machine and then shows associated read outs on a head-worn display in order to provide an augmented-reality presentation. For example, various sensors on and around a heart-lung machine, patient, and/or extracorporeal circuit can monitor the operations of the procedure using the heart-lung machine.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 62/928,773, filed Oct. 31, 2019. The disclosure of the priorapplication is considered part of (and is incorporated by reference in)the disclosure of this application.

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

This document relates to a heart-lung machine that provides sensor datato a user in an augmented reality presentation.

2. Background Information

Hollow fiber oxygenators are utilized within the extracorporeal circuitto meet a patient's gas exchange needs during medical procedures such ascardiopulmonary bypass surgery. Blood from the patient is either gravitydrained, or VAVD (vacuum assisted venous drainage) is used to obtain therequired amount of flow to maintain sufficient volume in a reservoir. Apump, such as a peristaltic pump or a centrifugal pump coupled with amagnetic drive system, is sometimes used in the main line of the circuitin order to pump blood from the reservoir, through the oxygenator, andfinally back to the patient.

Augmented reality (AR) is an interactive experience of a real-worldenvironment where the objects that reside in the real-world are enhancedby computer-generated perceptual information, sometimes across multiplesensory modalities, including visual, auditory, haptic, somatosensoryand olfactory. The overlaid sensory information can be constructive(i.e., additive to the natural environment), or destructive (i.e.,masking of the natural environment).

SUMMARY

In one aspect, this disclosure is directed to a system for displayingheart-lung machine sensor data in augmented reality. The system includesa head-worn augmented-reality display comprising a viewfield throughwhich a user of the augmented-reality display can view physical objectsin their field of view, the augmented-reality display configured torender glyphs and to render video in the viewfield such that, as theuser views physical objects in their field of view, the user is shown adisplay of the glyphs and the video as an overlay to the view of thephysical objects. The system includes a heart-lung machine configured toengage in an operation to provide a patient with an extracorporeal bloodflow circuit. The system includes at least one fine-grain sensorconfigured to sense a first parameter of the operation of the heart-lungmachine. The system includes at least one coarse-grain sensor configuredto sense a second parameter of the operation of the heart-lung machine.The system includes at least one video sensor to capture video data ofthe operation of the heart-lung machine. The system includes acontroller comprising a hardware processor and computer memory. Thesystem includes a data-network that communicably couples at least thefine-grain sensor and the coarse-grain sensor to the controller andfurther couples at least the controller to the head-wornaugmented-reality display. The controller is configured to receive,through the data-network, the first parameter of the operation of theheart-lung machine; receive, through the data-network, the secondparameter of the operation of the heart-lung machine; receive, throughthe data-network, the video data of the operation of the heart-lungmachine; send, to the augmented-reality display, instructions to show asa glyph an alpha-numeric value based on the first parameter of theoperation of the heart-lung machine; send, to the augmented-realitydisplay, instructions to show as a glyph, selected graphic from aplurality of possible graphics based on the second parameter of theoperation of the heart-lung machine; and send, to the augmented-realitydisplay, instructions to show a video based on the video data. Othersystems, method, devices, products, and software can be used.

Implementations can include some, all, or none of the followingfeatures. The coarse-grain sensor is configured to sense the secondparameter by sensing a particular physical phenomena; and the videosensor captures video data by capturing the particular physicalphenomena. The coarse-grain sensor is a level-sensor configured to sensea level of blood in a reservoir of the heart-lung machine; and the videosensor captures video data of depicting the level of blood in thereservoir of the heart-lung machine. The fine-grain sensor is configuredto sense the first parameter by sensing a particular physical phenomena;and the video sensor captures video data by capturing the particularphysical phenomena. The coarse-grain sensor is a line pressure sensorconfigured to sense a pressure in a line of a heart-lung machine; andthe video sensor captures video data of depicting the level of blood ina reservoir of the heart-lung machine. The coarse-grain sensor is an airdetection sensor configured to sense a presence of air in a line of aheart-lung machine; and the video sensor captures video data ofdepicting the level of blood in a reservoir of the heart-lung machine.The coarse-grain sensor is an arterial pressure sensor configured tosense a mean arterial pressure of a heart-lung machine; and the videosensor captures video data of depicting the level of blood in areservoir of the heart-lung machine. The coarse-grain sensor is a flowvolume sensor configured to sense a flow volume of a heart-lung machine;and the video sensor captures video data of depicting the level of bloodin a reservoir of the heart-lung machine. The coarse-grain sensor is avenous saturation sensor configured to sense a mean venous saturation ofa heart-lung machine; and the video sensor captures video data ofdepicting the level of blood in a reservoir of the heart-lung machine.The plurality of possible graphics includes an altered-graphic thatcorresponds to the selected graphic and differs from the selectedgraphic in at least a color. The color is a red color; and thecontroller is configured to send the selected graphic when the secondparameter is within a normal range and to send the altered graphic whenthe second parameter is outside of a normal range. The controller isconfigured to send the selected graphic at a first time and to send thealtered graphic at a second time later than the first time. The systemfurther comprising a stand-alone monitor; and the controller is furtherconfigured to send, to the stand-alone monitor, instructions to showmonitor-data on the stand-alone monitor, at least some of themonitor-data including one of the group consisting of the alpha-numericvalue, the selected graphic, and the video. The video sensor records analphanumerical display; and wherein the controller is further configuredto generate a corresponding computer-readable value; and send, to theaugmented-reality display, instructions to show the correspondingcomputer-readable value. The controller is further configured to:determine a change to the corresponding computer-readable value; andsend, to the augmented-reality display, instructions to show the changeto the corresponding computer-readable value. The controller is furtherconfigured to determine a change to the second parameter; and send, tothe augmented-reality display, instructions to show as a second glyphbased on the change of the second parameter. The augmented-realitydisplay comprises light emitters configured to emit light into atransparent viewfield to render the glyphs. The augmented-realitydisplay comprises light emitters configured to emit light into a halfmirror viewfield to render the glyphs. The augmented-reality displaycomprises one or more screens configured to display video to render theglyphs. The augmented-reality display comprises a retinal projectorconfigured to project an image onto one or more eyes of the user torender the glyphs.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention pertains. Although methods and materialssimilar or equivalent to those described herein can be used to practicethe invention, suitable methods and materials are described herein. Allpublications, patent applications, patents, and other referencesmentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. Incase of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, willcontrol. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples areillustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

The technology described in this document can be used to provide one ormore benefits. For example, the technology of medical interventions canbe improved. A heart-lung machine can be created that provides aperfusionist, or any other user including other clinicians, with anaugmented reality monitor that provides an overlay with criticalinformation about the operation of a heart-lung machine that is beingused to provide a medical intervention to a patient. The augmentedreality monitor may be head-worn, which can allow the perfusionist tomove their gaze away from the heart-lung machine while still maintainingawareness of key metrics and sensor readings that need essentiallyconstant monitoring and/or swift reactions. This can allow theperfusionist greater physical mobility, faster response to criticalincidents, and superior presentation of data. For example, since aparticular reading will always be in a particular location of theperfusionist's view, they may develop skills to look to this part oftheir view and ascertain information faster than on a fixed screen,which can be in different places relative to the perfusionist based onwhere the perfusionist is standing, sifting, or moving around theoperating room (away from the heart-lung machine).

Swift response by a perfusionist may become very important in any numberof critical conditions. As will be understood, patient survival canoften depended on what the perfusionist sees and how effectively theperfusionist can respond to the event. As such, the technology describedin this document can lead to better patient outcomes, includingsurvival, by enhancing the technology used by the perfusionist or othercare provider. In some cases, features of a heart lung machine maychange very quickly, for example blood level in a reservoir may quicklydrain, which can result in air being introduced into a patient's body.Use of this technology can warn a perfusionist before such a dangerousevent.

In addition, the technology described in this document can provide aperfusionist with different kinds of displays based on the kinds ofsensing that is available. For fine grain sensors, computer-generatednumbers and letters can be generated. However, when fine grain sensorsare not available, other next-best options can be used. For example, forcoarse grain sensors.

The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth inthe accompanying drawings and the description herein. Other features,objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thedescription and drawings, and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of patient undergoing open-heart surgerywhile being supported using an extracorporeal circuit in accordance withsome embodiments provided herein.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of example monitoring and display hardwareuseful for providing heart-lung-machine sensor data in augmentedreality.

FIGS. 3-5 are schematic diagrams of example augmented-realitypresentations.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an example data processing apparatus.

Like reference numbers represent corresponding parts throughout.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This document describes devices used during surgical procedures for thetreatment of heart conditions. For example, this document describestechnology to monitor the operations of a heart-lung machine and thenshows associated read outs on a head-worn display in order to provide anaugmented-reality presentation. For example, various sensors on andaround a heart-lung machine, patient, and/or extracorporeal circuit canmonitor the operations of the procedure using the heart-lung machine.Then, a controller can generate presentations to be shown (e.g., if anoxygen saturation of 79.9845% is sensed, alpha-numeric characters “8”,“0”, “.”, “0” and “%” can be used). The head-worn display can thenrender this presentation (e.g., glyphs and video).

As shown in FIG. 1 , various types of medical procedures can beperformed on a patient 10 while the patient 10 is connected to alife-sustaining heart/lung bypass machine system 100. In this example,the patient 10 is undergoing open-heart surgery during which the heart12 and lungs of the patient 10 are temporarily intentionally caused tocease functioning. Because the body of the patient 10 continues to havea metabolic need to receive a supply of circulating oxygenated bloodduring the medical procedure, however, the heart/lung bypass machinesystem 100 performs such functions. That is, as described further below,the heart/lung bypass machine system 100 is connected to the patient 10and performs the functions of the heart 12 and lungs of the patient 10so that the patient 10 stays alive and healthy during open-heartsurgery. The heart/lung bypass machine system 100 can be used for manydifferent types of medical procedures. For example, the medicalprocedures for which the heart/lung bypass machine system 100 can beused include, but are not limited to, coronary artery bypass grafts,heart valve repairs, heart valve replacements, heart transplants, lungtransplants, ablation procedures, repair of septal defects, repair ofcongenital heart defects, repair of aneurysms, pulmonary endarterectomy,pulmonary thrombectomy, and the like.

The heart/lung bypass machine system 100 is typically set up andoperated by a specially-trained clinician called a perfusionist.Perfusionists form part of the wider cardiovascular surgical team thatincludes cardiac surgeons, anesthesiologists, and nurses. During medicalprocedures using the heart/lung bypass machine system 100, theperfusionist is tasked with many responsibilities, not the least ofwhich is ensuring that the patient 10 is kept alive and healthy byoperating the heart/lung bypass machine system 100 in a manner thatmaintains blood flow to the patient's tissues, and which regulateslevels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood of the patient 10.Other responsibilities of the perfusionist include, but are not limitedto, administering blood products, administering anesthetic agents ordrugs, measuring selected laboratory values (such as blood cell count),monitoring circulation, monitoring blood gases, surveillinganticoagulation, induction of hypothermia, and hemodilution. Theresponsibilities of the perfusionist are diverse, dynamic, andcritically important to achieving successful outcomes of proceduresperformed on the patient 10 using the heart/lung bypass machine system100.

In the depicted example, the heart/lung bypass machine system 100includes components and sub-systems such as a heart/lung machine 110, anextracorporeal circuit 120, one or more temperature control systems 130,a blood monitoring system 140, a perfusion data management system 150,and a regional oximetry system 160. Some types of procedures that usethe heart/lung bypass machine system 100 may not require all of thecomponents and sub-systems that are shown. Some types of procedures thatuse the heart/lung bypass machine system 100 may require additionalcomponents and/or sub-systems that are not shown.

The extracorporeal circuit 120 is connected to the patient 10, and tothe heart/lung machine 110. Other systems, such as the temperaturecontrol system 130, blood monitoring system 140, and perfusion datamanagement system 150 may also be arranged to interface with theextracorporeal circuit 120. The extracorporeal circuit 120 is connectedto the patient 10 at the patient's heart 12. Oxygen-depleted blood(venous blood) from the patient 10 is extracted from the patient 10 atthe patient's heart 12 using a venous catheter 121. As described furtherbelow, the blood is circulated through the extracorporeal circuit 120 toreceive oxygen and remove carbon dioxide. The oxygenated blood is thenreturned through the extracorporeal circuit 120 to the patient's heart12 via an aortic cannula 129.

The extracorporeal circuit 120 can include, at least, a venous tube 122that is coupled to the venous catheter 121, a blood reservoir 123, acentrifugal pump 124, an oxygenator 125, an arterial filter 126, one ormore air bubble detectors 128, and an arterial tube 127 that is coupledto the aortic cannula 129. The venous catheter 121 and venous tube 122are in fluid communication with the venous side of the circulatorysystem of the patient 10. The venous tube 122 is also in fluidcommunication with an inlet to the reservoir 123. An outlet from thereservoir 123 is connected by tubing to an inlet of the pump 124. Theoutlet of the pump 124 is connected by tubing to an inlet of theoxygenator 125. The outlet of the oxygenator 125 is connected by tubingto an inlet of the arterial filter 126. An outlet of the arterial filter126 is connected to the arterial tube 127. One or more pressuretransducers can be located along the arterial tube 127 to detect aheart/lung machine (HLM) system line pressure of the blood in thearterial tube 127, which is measured by the heart/lung machine 110 andmonitored by the perfusionist. The arterial tube 127 is connected to thearterial cannula 129, which is in physical contact with the heart 12 andin fluid communication with the arterial side of the circulatory systemof the patient 10.

Briefly, the extracorporeal circuit 120 operates by removing venous,oxygen-depleted blood from the patient 10 via the venous catheter 121,and depositing the venous blood in the reservoir 123 via the venous tube122. In some cases, gravity is used to cause the blood to flow or drainfrom the patient 10 to the reservoir 123. In some cases, vacuum is usedto assist the blood to flow from the patient 10 to the reservoir 123. Atleast some amount of blood is intended to be maintained in the reservoir123 at all times during the surgical procedure. Otherwise, if thereservoir 123 becomes empty, air could be pumped into the extracorporealcircuit 120, and potentially into the vasculature of the patient 10.Such a result would likely be catastrophic for the patient 10.Accordingly, the perfusionist is tasked with visually monitoring thelevel of the blood in the reservoir 123. In addition, level detectorscan be included in conjunction with the reservoir 123 to issue an alarmin response to detection of low-level conditions within the reservoir123. Moreover, one or more air bubble detectors 128 can be located atvarious sites along the extracorporeal circuit 120. Blood from thereservoir 123 is drawn from the reservoir 123 by the pump 124. While thedepicted embodiment includes a one-time use centrifugal pump as the pump124, in some cases a peristaltic pump of the heart/lung machine 110 isused instead. The pressure generated by the pump 124 propels the bloodthrough the oxygenator 125. The perfusionist will adjust the pump 124 tooperate as desired, while avoiding operational issues such as negativecavitation that could create micro air in the blood of theextracorporeal circuit 120. In the oxygenator 125, the venous blood isenriched with oxygen, and carbon dioxide is removed from the blood. Thenow oxygen-rich arterial blood exits the oxygenator 125, travels throughthe arterial filter 126 to remove emboli, and is injected into thepatient's heart 12 through the arterial tube 160 via the aortic cannula129. The extracorporeal circuit 120 can also include tubing and othercomponents for facilitating functions such as, but not limited to,drainage of blood accumulating in the heart of the patient 10, providingsurgical suction for maintaining visibility of the surgical field,delivery of cardioplegia solution to the heart 12 of the patient 10during the procedure, measuring blood parameters, removing air from theblood, hemoconcentration, drug addition, obtaining blood samples,heating and cooling of the blood, and the like.

During a surgical procedure using the heart/lung bypass machine system100, various vital signs of the patient 10 are measured and/ormonitored. For example, a patient mean arterial pressure (“MAP”) may bemeasured. The MAP of the patient 10 is a parameter that a perfusionistoperating the heart/lung bypass machine system 100 will monitor in orderto ensure that the heart/lung bypass machine system 100 is functioningas desired during the surgical procedure. In some cases, the MAP readingis displayed on a screen of an anesthesia system, and/or displayed onthe operating room screen. If the MAP of the patient 10 is outside of adesired range, the perfusionist may make adjustments to the heart/lungbypass machine system 100 to improve the MAP of the patient 10.

The heart/lung bypass machine system 100 also includes the heart/lungmachine 110. The heart/lung machine 110 is a complex system thatincludes multiple pumps, monitors, controls, user interfaces, alarms,safety devices, and the like, that are all monitored andoperated/adjusted by the perfusionist during a surgical procedure. Forexample, the depicted heart/lung machine 110 includes an arterial pump111 (which can be a drive system for a disposable centrifugal pump 124as shown, or a peristaltic pump), a suction pump 112, a vent/drainagepump 113, a cardioplegia solution pump 114, and a cardioplegia deliverypump 115. The heart/lung machine 110 can also include, or be interfacedwith, devices such as a tubing occluder, gas blender, and the like. Theparameters of the heart/lung machine 110, such as the rotational speedand other parameters of each of the pumps, are set and adjusted by theperfusionist. For example, the speed of the arterial pump 111 isadjusted to maintain a desirable level of blood in the reservoir 123,and to provide a requisite level of blood circulation within the patient10.

The heart/lung bypass machine system 100 also includes one or moretemperature control systems 130. In a first aspect, the temperaturecontrol system(s) 130 is/are used to heat and cool the patient's bloodin the oxygenator 125 via a heat exchanger. Additionally, thetemperature control system(s) 130 is/are used to heat and cool thecardioplegia solution being delivered to the heart 12 of the patient 10.In general, the temperature control system(s) 130 is/are used in coolingmodes during the procedure (to reduce metabolic demands), andsubsequently used to warm the blood and/or cardioplegia solution whenthe surgical procedure is nearing its end. The perfusionist is taskedwith monitoring and adjusting the temperature control system(s) 130 asneeded during the surgical procedure.

The heart/lung bypass machine system 100, as depicted, also includes theblood monitoring system 140. The blood monitoring system 140 is used tomonitor the extracorporeal blood of the patient 10 during the surgicalprocedure. Parameters being monitored can include, but are not limitedto, pH, pCO₂, pO₂, K+, temperature, SO₂, hematocrit, hemoglobin, baseexcess, bicarbonate, oxygen consumption and oxygen delivery. Theperfusionist is tasked with monitoring the blood monitoring system 140during the surgical procedure. In some cases, the perfusionist will needto adjust other components or subsystems of the heart/lung bypassmachine system 100 in response to readings from the blood monitoringsystem 140.

The heart/lung bypass machine system 100, as depicted, also includes theperfusion data management system 150 and the regional oximetry system160. These systems can also be used by the perfusionist to monitor thestatus of the patient 10 and/or the status of the heart/lung bypassmachine system 100 during surgical procedures.

From the above description, it can be observed and understood that theperfusionist is tasked with a vast amount of very importantresponsibilities during a surgical procedure using the heart/lung bypassmachine system 100.

Referring to FIG. 2 , hardware 200 is used to monitor the operation of aheart-lung machine, such as that described with reference to FIG. 1 .The hardware 200 includes a head-worn augmented-reality display 202,sometimes also referred to as “smart glass” or “smart glasses”, amongother names. For example, the display 202 can take the form of a pair ofglasses, a visor, an open area, or a face-shield that a user (e.g., aperfusionist) wears on their head or face. The display 202 includes aviewfield through which a user can view physical objects in their fieldof view, which is sometimes referred to as “non-occluded” or a“non-occluded heads-up display (HUD)”, among other names. For example,the display 202 can include a clear portion of glass, plastic, orsimilar transparent material through which light emitted from physicalobjects passes into the user's eye. In another example, the display 202may be a solid, opaque device that completely or partially occludes theuser's view, sometimes referred to as “occluded” or an “occluded HUD”,among other names. In such a case, the viewfield can include one or morescreens (e.g., Light Emitting Diode or LED screens) along with one ormore cameras that capture a video data of the user's point-of-view.Video is then rendered on the screens, providing the user with aviewfield that is similar to a clear view of the physical environment,possibly imperceptibly similar.

In yet another example, the display 202 can include a retinal projectorconfigured to project an image directly onto the wearer's eye or eyes.In some cases, a display 202 with retinal projector can include a clearportion of glass, plastic, or similar transparent material through whichlight emitted from physical objects passes into the user's eye. In somecases, a display 202 with retinal projector can include one or morecameras that capture a video data of the user's point-of-view. Video isthen rendered and projected onto the user's eye, or eyes, providing theuser with a viewfield that is similar to a clear view of the physicalenvironment, possibly imperceptibly similar. In some implementations,the display 202 can be configured to account for seeing difficulties ofthe user. For example, a retinal projector can be configured to providea projection to a user with a cloudy cornea or cataracts in a way thatis clear to such a user.

In yet another example, the display 202 can include a half-mirroredportion of glass, plastic, or similar transparent material through whichlight emitted from physical objects passes into the user's eye, whilelight is emitted onto the half-mirror view field to render glyphs etc.

The display 202 is configured to render glyphs and to render video inthe viewfield. For example, light emitters can emit light into atransparent viewfield so that the user is shown a reflection of thelight. In another example, where screens are used to show video from theuser's point-of-view, the glyphs and video can be shown superimposedover the point-of-view video. In any case, the display 202 shows apresentation of the glyphs and the video as an overlay to the view ofthe physical objects.

The display 202 can include other features as well. For example, amicrophone and earphone may be included in the display 202 to connect toan intercom, cellular phone, or other telecommunication device. This canallow the operator to communicate, via the microphone and earphone, withpeople in the same facility or more distant.

Sensors 204-216 sense parameters of the operation of a heart-lungmachine (see FIG. 1 ). As will be appreciated, a variety of differentsensors may be used depending on the particular configuration of theheart-lung machine. For example, pressure sensors may be used to sensepressure in tubes of the extracorporeal circuit, thermocouples may beused to sense operating pressures, reservoir levels may be monitored viaultrasonic sensors or strain gages, blood parameters of the subject maybe monitored with a multi-function blood parameter monitoring device,electrical impedance sensors, light sensors, etc. Other possible sensorsinclude battery-charge sensors, proximity sensors, vibration sensors,gyroscopic sensors, blood sensors capable of sensing DO2, VO2, Hgb andhematocrit, etc.

Each of the sensors 204-216 is exposed to phenomena of the environmentin or around the heart-lung machine and generates an electrical signalbased on that phenomenon. These electrical signals may be digitalsignal, analog signals, or a mix of the two. Appropriate circuity may beused to smooth, normalize, and filter these signals as is needed. Whilesome sensors 204-210 are shown here as “fine grain sensors” and some212-216 are shown as “coarse grain sensors”, this may or not bereflected in the physical makeup or electrical signals of the sensors.As will be understood, subsampling, supersampling, interpolation, andaveraging processes can be used to manipulate the operation of sensors.In fact, some particular sensors may be used as both fine grain andcoarse grain at the same time or at different times.

An optional video sensor 218 captures video of the operation of theheart-lung machine. For example, the video sensor 218 can include aphoto-reactive sensor panel (e.g., a charged coupled device (CCD) orcomplementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) panel). The video sensor218 may also include an illumination source, a physical shutter, aflexible mounting so the point-of-view can be adjusted, etc.

A controller 220 includes a hardware processor and computer memory. Forexample, the computer memory may store, in either a read-only or in aread-write format, a series of instructions for the processor toperform. These instructions can include software, firmware, drivers,data files, etc. used in the operation of the controller.

A terminal 222 can include any sort of display, including those that arenot head-worn. The can include a stand-alone display optionally havinginput devices such as keyboard, mouse, trackball, or touchpad, caninclude a display worn on the arm, wrist, or shoulder, etc. The terminal222 can provide the user with a relatively stationary or mobile accesspoint for input and output activities. Terminal 222 or elements thereofmay be movable such as by being mounted on a swing arm, on a slidingdrawer, on a user, etc., including being mounted on a heart-lungmachine.

A network interface 224 can communicate with external network locations.For example, the network interface 224 can provide access to local areanetworks, to the Internet, or to other peripheral devices. Elements ofthe hardware 200 can use the network interface 224 to communicate withother elements of the hardware 200 or with other remote destinations.

A data network 226 communicably couples the elements of the hardware200. As will be understood, the data network 226 can include one or morelogical network and one or more physical medium for data exchange. Forexample, an Ethernet network may connect the sensors 204-216, the videosensor 218, and the controller 220 while a wireless (e.g., WiFi orBlueTooth) network connects the controller 220 and the display 202.

The controller 220 can receive, through the data network 226, data fromthe sensors 204-216 and the video sensor 218. For example, the sensor204 can be a pressure sensor that continuously reads pressure in a lineas the heart-lung machine operates. The sensor 204 can report a firstparameter (e.g., a four-digit real number of the sensed pressure inmm/Hg) to the controller 220. The controller 220 can then use this as afine-grain parameter and send, to the display 202, instructions to showas a glyph an alpha-numeric value (e.g., a character string of thefour-digit real number and “mm/Hg”) based on the first parameter of theoperation of the heart-lung machine.

The sensor 216 can be a fluid level sensor that returns “True” if fluid,likely blood, in the reservoir of the extracorporeal circuit is greaterthan a given volume. For example, the sensor 216 can be mounted in or onan exterior of the reservoir and, if there is sufficient blood to coverthe sensor 216, the sensor 216 sends a value of “True” as a secondparameter to the controller 220 and a value of “False” if there is notsufficient blood to cover the sensor 216. Alternatively, in some casesthe sensor 216 can be an ultrasonic level sensor that does not contactthe blood. The controller 220, upon receipt of a “True” value, can sendto the display 202 instructions to show a graphic of a reservoir with agreen background, which can indicate that there is sufficient blood inthe reservoir. Later, the controller can receive a “False” value and canthen send the display 202 instructions to show a graphic of a reservoirwith a red background, which can indicate that there is insufficientblood in the reservoir, or nearly so. In some cases, two or more of thesensors 216 can be used to sense the fluid levels in the reservoir. Forexample, without limitation, a first sensor 216 can be positioned at alevel that would result in sending an alert message if the level of thefluid is below the position of the first sensor 216. A second sensor 216can be positioned lower than the first sensor 216 at a level that wouldresult in stopping the arterial pump of the heart-lung machine to avoidthe ingress of air into the extracorporeal circuit that could result ifthe reservoir becomes empty of fluid. As will be appreciated, thesegraphics may be stored by the processor 220 before operation of theheart-lung machine and may be selected to quickly transmit semanticinformation to a user (e.g., yellow being a cautionary alert indicatinga worsening condition, green being good, red or blinking/flashing redbeing bad).

In some embodiments, the optional video sensor 218 can be fixed to pointat the same reservoir as is being sensed by the sensor 216. The videosensor 218 can send to the controller 220 video data of the reservoir.The controller 220 can send to the display 202 instructions to show avideo based on the video data received from the video sensor 218.

In some implementations, the information gathered by the sensor 216and/or the video sensor 218 may be used to generate other values. Forexample, in addition to being used to sense present the level of bloodas a value, the controller 220 can also identify when the value of thelevel is changing (e.g., increasing or decreasing), and can identify thespeed of such a change. The increasing or decreasing can be shown in theform of an alphanumerical character, a glyph (e.g., an up arrow and adown arrow), a color (e.g., red/green or yellow/blue). The speed ofchange can be shown separately from the indication of change (e.g., withan exclamation mark next to the change indication) or by altering thechange indication (e.g., causing a blink or a change in size).

In some implementations, the video sensor 218 can be tasked to sense oneor more different phenomena. For example, in some implementations thevideo sensor 218 may be tasked to record an alphanumerical output of,for example, a meter or display. For example, a piece of equipment mayproduce a human-readable output that includes alphanumerical characters,but that does not have data network capabilities. In such a case, thevideo sensor 218 can record the alphanumerical output, and thecontroller 220 can generate, from the recording, a correspondingcomputer-readable value. In some embodiments, two or more of the videosensors 218 can be included as components of the hardware 200. Forexample, in some embodiments, a first video sensor 218 can be used tomonitor the reservoir and one or more additional video sensors 218 canbe used to monitor meters and/or displays. In some embodiments, thesystem of hardware 200 includes no video sensor 218 to monitor thereservoir. Instead, one or more level sensors (e.g., sensor(s) 216)alone can be used to detect the level of fluid in the reservoir. In someembodiments, no video sensor 218 is included whatsoever (while thehardware 200 can include the other components, e.g., sensors 204-216).It should be understood that the system of hardware 200 is flexible andexpandable such that it can be configured and adapted to the needs ofparticular users (e.g., perfusionists).

In some implementations, the information gathered by the video sensor218 may be used to generate other values. For example, in addition tobeing used to record alphanumerical output, the controller 202 can alsoidentify when the value of the alphanumeric output is changing (e.g.,increasing or decreasing), and can identify the speed of such a change.The increasing or decreasing value can be shown in the form of analphanumerical character, a glyph (e.g., an up arrow and a down arrow),a color (e.g. red/green or yellow/blue), and the like. The speed ofchange of the value can be shown separately from the indication ofchange (e.g., with an exclamation mark next to the change indication) orby altering the change indication (e.g., causing a blink or a change insize).

As can now be appreciated, both the sensor 216 and the video sensor 218can be used to sense the same or related phenomena—in this case theblood level within the reservoir of the extracorporeal circuit that iscoupled to the heart-lung machine. The sensor 216 in this example isonly able to provide an indication of if there is more or less blood inthe reservoir than a particular, possibly fixed, level. However, aperfusionist may benefit from access to greater information than onlythat single indication. As such, the presentation of video of thereservoir in the display 202 can provide uninterrupted information aboutthe level of blood with only a simple physical and/or mentalconcentration on a portion of the augmented-reality presentation.However, if the perfusionist is concentrating on another task, it may bedifficult for them to also give full attention to the video. As such, ahighly visible glyph, in the form of a graphic that appears to turn fromgreen to red, and grab attention of the perfusionist to indicate thatthe perfusionist should pay attention to the reservoir video.

As can be appreciated, such a configuration can benefit hardware 200where fine-grain sensing would be beneficial, but is technologicallyproblematic. In some heart-lung machines, accurate measures of fluidlevels in a reservoir become complicated or impossible due to materialselection, the interplay of currents when fluid is both being added andremoved from the reservoir at different rates, environmentalinterference, etc. However, the hardware 200 can be utilized to takeadvantage of the fact a video of the reservoir providesmore-than-sufficient information to quickly understand the state of thereservoir. Similarly, the hardware 200 can be advantageously used by aperfusionist as an add-on to an existing heart-lung machine that was notprovided with the hardware 200. That is, the manufacturer of theheart-lung machine may only provide some of the sensors 204-216, and theperfusionist may want or need more data than what is provided. In such acase, the perfusionist (or a technician on their behalf) can modify theheart-lung machine with the hardware 200 to provide greaterfunctionality on an old or feature-poor heart-lung machine.

In some cases, the hardware 200 may be developed as an integral part ofa heart-lung machine. That is, the elements of a heart-lung machine mayinclude housings, brackets, and chambers that include, e.g., the sensors204-216. In some cases, the hardware 200 may be made available as anoptional upgrade to a heart-lung machine by the vendor or manufacturerof the heart-lung machine. That is, the designer of a heart-lung machinemay design the heart-lung machine so that some or all of the hardware200 are available as optional add-on components that may, or may not, bepurchased with the heart-lung machine. In some cases, the hardware 200may be made available as an after-market add-on system. That is, thehardware may be sold to an owner that already owns a heart-lung machinethat was made by a manufacturer different from the manufacturer of thehardware 200. Other distribution options are also possible.

One beneficial feature of the system 200 is that various elements of thesystem 200 may be geographically separated and/or multiple copies ofsome components may be provided. For example, the sensors 204-2016 maybe located in one location (e.g., a hospital on one country) with onedisplay 202 worn by a clinician at that location, while a second display202 may be located in another location (e.g., a training center inanother country) worn by another user. In such a case, both users may bepresented with the same views, or with different views depending oncontext. One use case for such a configuration is a training use case. Atrainer in one physical location can “virtually sit-in” on a procedurebeing performed by the clinician that is, geographically speaking, farway. With remote communication (e.g., telephone, video conference), thetrainer may assist the clinician in a real procedure or in a simulatedteaching-procedure. For example, the trainer can help the clinicianlearn how to use the technology, how to perform a particular procedure,etc. This may be of particular value in, for example, procedures withpatients with very rare or complex conditions.

Consider a patient with a very rare condition, for which there is onlyone clinician in the world with deep expertise and experience. If thatpatient is undergoing a procedure in a different location than theexpert, a local clinician can collaborate with the remote expert. Thelocal clinician can physically interact with the patient and heart-lungmachine, all the while receiving the unique input and guidance that theexpert can provide when given up-to-the-moment information by the system200.

Further, new clinicians can be trained in the use of the heart-lungmachine by a trainer without requiring the trainer and the new clinicianto be in the same location. This can beneficially allow the trainersremain in a central training-hub and train, in the same day, newclinicians that are so far apart from each other the trainer could nevertravel from one to the next in the same day.

Similarly, an expert clinician can share the system 200 with newclinicians so that the new clinicians can observe the way that an expertclinician performs procedures. In addition to the advantages below, thesystem 200 can include many remote displays 202 (or terminals 222) sothat many new clinicians can be educated at the same time. And, this caninclude many new clinicians that are geographically separated.

The system 200 can also be used for diagnostic, troubleshooting, andtechnical support purposes. For example, a technician installing a newcomponent in a heart-lung machine may connect with a remote technicalexpert that can guide them through the installation process,troubleshoot an installation error, etc.

As will be appreciated, these and other use cases can be providedwithout requiring the time, expense, and hassle of travel. Furthermore,because the system 200 can share the point-of-view of one user withother users, communications that could never happen even in person canbe made. For example, an expert clinician can, in real time, spot that anew clinician is spending too much time with their attention focused onone reading, while they should be paying more attention to anotheraspect of the perfusion system. This kind of learning and observationcan advantageously improve clinical outcomes, training, and serviceoperations of the system 200 and the associated medical technologies.

Referring to FIG. 3 , a schematic diagram 300 of an example augmentedreality presentation is shown. In this example, the presentation isconfigured for a visor or goggles that provide a generally rectangulararea, with a portion removed where the user's nose will generally bepresent. Glyph areas 302 and 304, represented by recurring “g”characters, are areas of the presentation where the display device isconfigured to present one or more glyphs. Video area 306 is an area ofthe presentation where the display device is configured to present oneor more videos. It will be appreciated that the number, shape, size, andlocation of areas can vary from presentation to presentation, and can beconstrained by the technical limitations of the display device beingused.

Referring to FIG. 4 , a schematic diagram 400 of an example augmentedreality presentation is shown. In this example, the glyph areas arepopulated with fields for possible glyphs related to reservoir level,line pressure, air detection, mean arterial pressure, flow volume, andvenous saturation mean.

Referring to FIG. 5 , a schematic diagram 500 of an example augmentedreality presentation is shown. In this example, a graphic is populatedinto the fields for reservoir level and air detection, whilealphanumeric values are populated into the remaining glyph areas.

The augmented reality presentations can be configured to show data inranged expected for human or other patient ranges. For example, a rangeof values as described here may be used:

MAP: 0 to 400 mmHg or completely off on range settings;

FLOW: 0 to 10 L/min or complete off on ranges settings;

VENOUS SAT: 0 to 100% or off; and

LINE PRESSURE: 0 to 500 mmHg or off.

For example as smaller woman of 60 kg:

MAP: normal may be approx. 60 mmHg with range setting of 55 mmHg on lowalarm and 80 mmHg on high alarm;

FLOW: normal 4 L/min with a setting of 3 L/min on low alarm and 5 L/minon high alarm;

VENOUS SAT: 80% normal with a low setting of 65% and a high setting of90%; and

LINE PRESSURE: 180 mmHg with a low setting of 90 mmHg and a high settingof 250 mmHg.

For example a larger man of 100 kg:

MAP: normal may be approx. 75 mmHg with a range setting on low alarm of60 mmHg and 90 mmHg on high alarm;

FLOW: normal 6 L/min with a setting of 3.5 L/min on low alarm and 7.5L/min on high alarm;

VENOUS SAT 70% with a low setting of 60% and a high setting of 80%; and

LINE PRESSURE: 240 mmHg with a low setting of 100 mmHg and a highsetting of 350 mmHg.

Referring to FIG. 6 , a block diagram of an example data processingapparatus 600 is shown. The system 600 includes a processor 610, amemory 620, a storage device 630, and an input/output device 640. Eachof the components 610, 620, 630, and 640 can, for example, beinterconnected using a system bus 650. The processor 610 is capable ofprocessing instructions for execution within the system 600. In oneimplementation, the processor 610 is a single-threaded processor. Inanother implementation, the processor 610 is a multi-threaded processor.The processor 610 is capable of processing instructions stored in thememory 620 or on the storage device 630.

The memory 620 stores information within the system 600. In oneimplementation, the memory 620 is a computer-readable medium. In oneimplementation, the memory 620 is a volatile memory unit. In anotherimplementation, the memory 620 is a non-volatile memory unit.

The storage device 630 is capable of providing mass storage for thesystem 600. In one implementation, the storage device 630 is acomputer-readable medium. In various different implementations, thestorage device 630 can, for example, include a hard disk device, anoptical disk device, or some other large capacity storage device.

The input/output device 640 provides input/output operations for thesystem 600. In one implementation, the input/output device 640 caninclude one or more network interface devices, e.g., an Ethernet card, aserial communication device, e.g., an RS-232 port, and/or a wirelessinterface device, e.g., an 802.11 card. In another implementation, theinput/output device can include driver devices configured to receiveinput data and send output data to other input/output devices, e.g.,keyboard, printer and display devices 660. Other implementations,however, can also be used, such as mobile computing devices, mobilecommunication devices, set-top box television client devices, etc.

Embodiments of the subject matter and the operations described in thisspecification can be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, or incomputer software, firmware, or hardware, including the structuresdisclosed in this specification and their structural equivalents, or incombinations of one or more of them. Embodiments of the subject matterdescribed in this specification can be implemented as one or morecomputer programs, i.e., one or more modules of computer programinstructions, encoded on computer storage medium for execution by, or tocontrol the operation of, data processing apparatus.

A computer storage medium can be, or be included in, a computer-readablestorage device, a computer-readable storage substrate, a random orserial access memory array or device, or a combination of one or more ofthem. Moreover, while a computer storage medium is not a propagatedsignal, a computer storage medium can be a source or destination ofcomputer program instructions encoded in an artificially generatedpropagated signal. The computer storage medium can also be, or beincluded in, one or more separate physical components or media (e.g.,multiple CDs, disks, or other storage devices).

The operations described in this specification can be implemented asoperations performed by a data processing apparatus on data stored onone or more computer-readable storage devices or received from othersources.

The term “data processing apparatus” encompasses all kinds of apparatus,devices, and machines for processing data, including by way of example aprogrammable processor, a computer, a system on a chip, or multipleones, or combinations, of the foregoing. The apparatus can includespecial purpose logic circuitry, e.g., an FPGA (field programmable gatearray) or an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit). Theapparatus can also include, in addition to hardware, code that createsan execution environment for the computer program in question, e.g.,code that constitutes processor firmware, a protocol stack, a databasemanagement system, an operating system, a cross-platform runtimeenvironment, a virtual machine, or a combination of one or more of them.The apparatus and execution environment can realize various differentcomputing model infrastructures, such as web services, distributedcomputing and grid computing infrastructures.

A computer program (also known as a program, software, softwareapplication, script, or code) can be written in any form of programminglanguage, including compiled or interpreted languages, declarative orprocedural languages, and it can be deployed in any form, including as astand alone program or as a module, component, subroutine, object, orother unit suitable for use in a computing environment. A computerprogram may, but need not, correspond to a file in a file system. Aprogram can be stored in a portion of a file that holds other programsor data (e.g., one or more scripts stored in a markup languagedocument), in a single file dedicated to the program in question, or inmultiple coordinated files (e.g., files that store one or more modules,sub programs, or portions of code). A computer program can be deployedto be executed on one computer or on multiple computers that are locatedat one site or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected by acommunication network.

The processes and logic flows described in this specification can beperformed by one or more programmable processors executing one or morecomputer programs to perform actions by operating on input data andgenerating output. The processes and logic flows can also be performedby, and apparatus can also be implemented as, special purpose logiccircuitry, e.g., a FPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC(application specific integrated circuit).

Processors suitable for the execution of a computer program include, byway of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors, andany one or more processors of any kind of digital computer. Generally, aprocessor will receive instructions and data from a read only memory ora random access memory or both.

The essential elements of a computer are a processor for performingactions in accordance with instructions and one or more memory devicesfor storing instructions and data. Generally, a computer will alsoinclude, or be operatively coupled to receive data from or transfer datato, or both, one or more mass storage devices for storing data, e.g.,magnetic, magneto optical disks, or optical disks. However, a computerneed not have such devices. Moreover, a computer can be embedded inanother device, e.g., a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant(PDA), a mobile audio or video player, a game console, a GlobalPositioning System (GPS) receiver, or a portable storage device (e.g., auniversal serial bus (USB) flash drive), to name just a few. Devicessuitable for storing computer program instructions and data include allforms of non volatile memory, media and memory devices, including by wayof example semiconductor memory devices, e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, and flashmemory devices; magnetic disks, e.g., internal hard disks or removabledisks; magneto optical disks; and CD ROM and DVD-ROM disks. Theprocessor and the memory can be supplemented by, or incorporated in,special purpose logic circuitry.

To provide for interaction with a user, embodiments of the subjectmatter described in this specification can be implemented on a computerhaving a display device, e.g., a CRT (cathode ray tube) or LCD (liquidcrystal display) monitor, for displaying information to the user and akeyboard and a pointing device, e.g., a mouse or a trackball, by whichthe user can provide input to the computer. Other kinds of devices canbe used to provide for interaction with a user as well; for example,feedback provided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback, e.g.,visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; and input fromthe user can be received in any form, including acoustic, speech, ortactile input. In addition, a computer can interact with a user bysending documents to and receiving documents from a device that is usedby the user; for example, by sending web pages to a web browser on auser's user device in response to requests received from the webbrowser.

Embodiments of the subject matter described in this specification can beimplemented in a computing system that includes a back end component,e.g., as a data server, or that includes a middleware component, e.g.,an application server, or that includes a front end component, e.g., auser computer having a graphical user interface or a Web browser throughwhich a user can interact with an implementation of the subject matterdescribed in this specification, or any combination of one or more suchback end, middleware, or front end components. The components of thesystem can be interconnected by any form or medium of digital datacommunication, e.g., a communication network. Examples of communicationnetworks include a local area network (“LAN”) and a wide area network(“WAN”), an inter-network (e.g., the Internet), and peer-to-peernetworks (e.g., ad hoc peer-to-peer networks).

The computing system can include users and servers. A user and serverare generally remote from each other and typically interact through acommunication network. The relationship of user and server arises byvirtue of computer programs running on the respective computers andhaving a user-server relationship to each other. In some embodiments, aserver transmits data (e.g., an HTML page) to a user device (e.g., forpurposes of displaying data to and receiving user input from a userinteracting with the user device). Data generated at the user device(e.g., a result of the user interaction) can be received from the userdevice at the server.

While this specification contains many specific implementation details,these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of anyinventions or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions offeatures specific to particular embodiments of particular inventions.Certain features that are described in this specification in the contextof separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in asingle embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described inthe context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multipleembodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover,although features may be described above as acting in certaincombinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more featuresfrom a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from thecombination, and the claimed combination may be directed to asubcombination or variation of a subcombination.

Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particularorder, this should not be understood as requiring that such operationsbe performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, orthat all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirableresults. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processingmay be advantageous. Moreover, the separation of various systemcomponents in the embodiments described above should not be understoodas requiring such separation in all embodiments, and it should beunderstood that the described program components and systems cangenerally be integrated together in a single software product orpackaged into multiple software products.

While this specification contains many specific implementation details,these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of anyinvention or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions offeatures that may be specific to particular embodiments of particularinventions. Certain features that are described in this specification inthe context of separate embodiments can also be implemented incombination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features thatare described in the context of a single embodiment can also beimplemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitablesubcombination. Moreover, although features may be described herein asacting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, oneor more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excisedfrom the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to asubcombination or variation of a subcombination.

Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particularorder, this should not be understood as requiring that such operationsbe performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, orthat all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirableresults. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processingmay be advantageous. Moreover, the separation of various system modulesand components in the embodiments described herein should not beunderstood as requiring such separation in all embodiments, and itshould be understood that the described program components and systemscan generally be integrated together in a single product or packagedinto multiple products.

Particular embodiments of the subject matter have been described. Otherembodiments are within the scope of the following claims. For example,the actions recited in the claims can be performed in a different orderand still achieve desirable results. As one example, the processesdepicted in the accompanying figures do not necessarily require theparticular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirableresults. In certain implementations, multitasking and parallelprocessing may be advantageous.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for displaying heart-lung machine sensordata in augmented reality, the system comprising: a head-wornaugmented-reality display comprising a viewfield through which a user ofthe augmented-reality display can view physical objects in their fieldof view, the augmented-reality display configured to render glyphs andto render video in the viewfield such that, as the user views physicalobjects in their field of view, the user is shown a display of theglyphs and the video as an overlay to the view of the physical objects;a heart-lung machine configured to engage in an operation to provide apatient with an extracorporeal blood flow circuit; at least onefine-grain sensor configured to sense a first parameter of the operationof the heart-lung machine; a plurality of level-sensors configured toeach sense level-parameters for fluid that flows into a reservoir duringoperation of the heart-lung machine relative to a corresponding,predefined level, each level-sensor's corresponding, predefined levelbeing different from the other level-sensors' corresponding, predefinedlevels; at least one video sensor to capture video data of the reservoirduring operation of the heart-lung machine; a controller comprising ahardware processor and computer memory; and a data-network thatcommunicably couples at least the fine-grain sensor and the plurality oflevel-sensors to the controller and further couples at least thecontroller to the head-worn augmented-reality display; wherein thecontroller is configured to: receive, through the data-network, thefirst parameter of the operation of the heart-lung machine; receive,through the data-network, the level-parameters; receive, through thedata-network, the video data of the reservoir during the operation ofthe heart-lung machine; send, to the augmented-reality display,instructions to show as a glyph an alpha-numeric value based on thefirst parameter of the operation of the heart-lung machine; send, to theaugmented-reality display, instructions to show as a glyph, selectedgraphic from a plurality of possible graphics based on thelevel-parameters; and send, to the augmented-reality display,instructions to show a video based on the video data.
 2. The system ofclaim 1, wherein: the fine-grain sensor is a line pressure sensorconfigured to sense a pressure in a line of a heart-lung machine.
 3. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein: the fine-grain sensor is an air detectionsensor configured to sense a presence of air in a line of a heart-lungmachine.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein: the fine-grain sensor is anarterial pressure sensor configured to sense a mean arterial pressure ofa heart-lung machine.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein: the fine-grainsensor is a flow volume sensor configured to sense a flow volume of aheart-lung machine.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein: the fine-grainsensor is a venous saturation sensor configured to sense a mean venoussaturation of a heart-lung machine.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein,the plurality of possible graphics includes an altered-graphic thatcorresponds to the selected graphic and differs from the selectedgraphic in at least a color, wherein the color is a red color; thecontroller is configured to send the selected graphic when at least oneof the level-parameters is within a normal range and to send the alteredgraphic when the at least one of the level-parameters is outside of anormal range; and the controller is configured to send the selectedgraphic at a first time and to send the altered graphic at a second timelater than the first time.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein: the systemfurther comprising a stand-alone monitor; and the controller is furtherconfigured to send, to the stand-alone monitor, instructions to showmonitor-data on the stand-alone monitor, at least some of themonitor-data including one of the group consisting of the alpha-numericvalue, the selected graphic, and the video.
 9. The system of claim 1,wherein the video sensor records an alphanumerical display; and whereinthe controller is further configured to: generate a correspondingcomputer-readable value; send, to the augmented-reality display,instructions to show the corresponding computer-readable value;determine a change to the corresponding computer-readable value; andsend, to the augmented-reality display, instructions to show the changeto the corresponding computer-readable value.
 10. The system of claim 1,wherein the controller is further configured to: determine a change tothe level-parameters; and send, to the augmented-reality display,instructions to show as a second glyph based on the change of thelevel-parameters.
 11. The system of claim 1, wherein theaugmented-reality display comprises light emitters configured to emitlight into a transparent viewfield to render the glyphs.
 12. The systemof claim 1, wherein the augmented-reality display comprises lightemitters configured to emit light into a half mirror viewfield to renderthe glyphs.
 13. The system of claim 1, wherein the augmented-realitydisplay comprises one or more screens configured to display video torender the glyphs.
 14. The system of claim 1, wherein theaugmented-reality display comprises a retinal projector configured toproject an image onto one or more eyes of the user to render the glyphs.15. A controller device for showing heart-lung-machine sensor data inaugmented reality, the controller comprising a hardware processor andcomputer memory, the controller configured to: receive, through adata-network, a first parameter of an operation of the heart-lungmachine; receive, through the data-network, a plurality oflevel-parameters sensed by a corresponding plurality of level-sensorsconfigured to each sense at least one of the level-parameters for fluidthat flows into a reservoir during operation of the heart-lung machinerelative to a corresponding, predefined level, each level-sensor'scorresponding, predefined level being different from the otherlevel-sensors' corresponding, predefined levels; send, to anaugmented-reality display, instructions to show as a glyph analpha-numeric value based on the first parameter of the operation of theheart-lung machine; send, to the augmented-reality display, instructionsto show as a glyph, a selected graphic from a plurality of possiblegraphics based on the level-parameters; receive, through thedata-network, video data of the operation of the heart-lung machine; andsend, to the augmented-reality display, instructions to show a videobased on the video data.
 16. The controller device claim 15, wherein thevideo sensor records an alphanumerical display; and wherein thecontroller is further configured to: generate a correspondingcomputer-readable value; and send, to the augmented-reality display,instructions to show the corresponding computer-readable value.
 17. Thecontroller of claim 15, wherein the controller is further configured to:determine a change to the corresponding computer-readable value; andsend, to the augmented-reality display, instructions to show the changeto the corresponding computer-readable value.
 18. The controller deviceof claim 15, wherein the controller is further configured to: determinea change to the level-parameters; and send, to the augmented-realitydisplay, instructions to show as a second glyph based on the change ofthe second parameter.
 19. A system for displaying heart-lung machinesensor data in augmented reality, the system comprising: a head-wornaugmented-reality display comprising a viewfield through which a user ofthe augmented-reality display can view physical objects in their fieldof view, the augmented-reality display configured to render glyphs inthe viewfield such that, as the user views physical objects in theirfield of view, the user is shown a display of the glyphs as an overlayto the view of the physical objects; a heart-lung machine configured toengage in an operation to provide a patient with an extracorporeal bloodflow circuit; at least one fine-grain sensor configured to sense a firstparameter of the operation of the heart-lung machine; a plurality oflevel-sensors configured to each sense level-parameters for fluid thatflows into a reservoir during operation of the heart-lung machinerelative to a corresponding, predefined level, each level-sensor'scorresponding, predefined level being different from the otherlevel-sensors' corresponding, predefined levels; means for capturingvideo data of the reservoir during operation of the heart-lung machine;a controller comprising a hardware processor and computer memory; and adata-network that communicably couples at least the fine-grain sensorand the coarse-grain sensor to the controller and further couples atleast the controller to the head-worn augmented-reality display; whereinthe controller is configured to: receive, through the data-network, thefirst parameter of the operation of the heart-lung machine; receive,through the data-network, the second parameter of the operation of theheart-lung machine; receive, through the data-network, the video data ofthe reservoir during the operation of the heart-lung machine; send, tothe augmented-reality display, instructions to show as a glyph analpha-numeric value based on the first parameter of the operation of theheart-lung machine; and send, to the augmented-reality display,instructions to show as a glyph, selected graphic from a plurality ofpossible graphics based on the level-parameters.